We have finally arrived at the third and final weapon in our three-part arsenal that God has
provided for us to use in our task of ruling over the earth—the civil government. “The Sin of Certainty,” the title of last week’s posting, exposes a sin that afflicts, not just the arrogant Pharisees like I am, but all Wanna-Be Pharisees and Rebels as well. We are ALL ADDICTED to the Fruit of the Tree because we were “in Adam” when he sinned, and therefore, we sinned ‘”n Adam!”
Do you see that “the addiction” to wanting to always have the final answer to “what’s right” is universal? If you do see this truth with the eyes of your heart, it will completely change your view of the role of the civil government in our task of ruling over the earth! In Romans 13:1-7, Paul presents beautifully God’s design of that role and how it is to function:
“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
“Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
“For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.
“Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing.
“Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:1-7).
Here Paul is describing God’s plan for the civil government that He designed for us to use. It is not a description, in any way, of the civil government of the Roman Empire under which he lived at the time, but only the description of GOD’S INTENT for its functioning..
I believe the Bible teaches there are only TWO BIBLICAL FUNCTIONS of civil government—1.) PUNISH LAW-BREAKERS and 2.) PROTECT LAW-KEEPERS!. Here Paul is addressing the sanctions civil government uses as it fulfills its “punishment” assignment.
According to R. J. Rushdoony’s book, Institutes of Biblical Law, there were but four means of legal sanctions for all civil law-breakers revealed in the Bible, and Rushdoony goes into great detail in explaining each:
- Restitution – Paying back the victim, often with an additional fine.
- Flogging – A public lashing (as Jesus received at His trial).
- Indentured servitude – The guilty party becomes a slave of the victim for a set period of time.
- Execution.
Notice there is no incarceration. Imprisonment was temporary only, a holding action until the appropriate sanction was determined and prepared.
In the Bible, Paul also addresses the second purpose for civil government as well: TO PROTECT LAW-KEEPERS:
“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (1 Timothy 2:1, 2).
Paul says it is because of “kings and all who are in authority” that we are protected from enemies, both foreign and domestic. We are free Americans, free to live fully as believers in Jesus Christ. biblical civil law alone, applied by the civil government, can assure that this will be a reality.
In this posting, we have established the only two, legitimate, biblical functions of civil government: NOT to regulate the economy, build highways, deliver mail, or educate our children. Instead, these jobs are all relegated to the free-born, creative, industrious American citizens! Legitimate government jobs that fall within the punish-protect paradigm are the armed forces, police, national guard, and firefighters.
In this posting, we have looked at WHAT is the two-fold purpose God gave to our ruling-tool of civil government—to punish law-breakers and to protect law-keepers. Thankfully, God did not leave us on our own to figure out HOW we can accomplish that task. That’s next week!.
